Irish actress hopes to build on ER role

A KERRY-BORN actress is hoping an appearance on the US TV hospital drama, ER, next Sunday night, will provide a significant breakthrough in her career.

Sarah-Jane Drummey, from Tralee, is to appear in three scenes playing a childminder for Dr Abbey Lockhart (Maura Tierney).

She began her career in drama as a child performer with Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre, in Tralee.

Now living in Los Angeles, she spent Christmas in Tralee where her parents, Ann and Michael, (a former Kerry Group executive) and her brother, John, live.

John, who works with Radio Kerry, yesterday said acting was the career his sister always wanted to follow.

“Her appearance on ER is as good as a lead part in a major British medical drama because of the worldwide audience of millions which such a recognised drama as ER attracts,” said John.

Sarah-Jane, who is in her 20s, last performed in Tralee in December in Arthur Riordan’s Improbable Frequency.

That production was by the Rough Magic group, in Siamsa Tíre.

Sarah-Jane has generally been a stage performer, but she has also made some film appearances.

She has played in big theatres including the National in London, where she had a role in The Night Season.

It was a part in a David Synge production that took her to America last May and she afterwards decided to remain stateside.

Sarah-Jane is keeping her fingers crossed that her ER showing will open more doors for her as a screen actress.